The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 3rd 1925. ANTI-PATRIOTISM.

Hokitika Guardian, 3 February 1925, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 3rd 1925. ANTI-PATRIOTISM.

A I.omion paper very pointedly draws attention to the anti-patriotism of the l.a!;or [tarty at Jflomc, displayed speeially liv the Independent group of Socialists. The occasion for the remark was a statement made by the section of bailor to the effect that it “views with deep humiliation the actions of the present British Government in fOgy; t.” It is not my business to discuss, rays an hnglish writer, one way or the other, the actions of the Government, bnt I would like to know why a certain type of person always appears to be “humiliated” by what his own country does while he frequently views the shocking actions of other countries "ith the most benevolent indifference. •>’o doubt such people would argue that just as a man is more concerned about his own hoiiopr than about the honour of his neighbours so ought a man to he more concerned about the honour of - I his own country than about the honour of other countries. This is all right as a theory and it enables many antipatriots to pose as the true patriots, hut the fat t is that, nine times out of ten, the clitics of their own country hope lor her discomfiture and cloak their malignancy under moral ] hrases. hatever their country did, unless it surrendered everything, they would fell “humiliated” because they hate .lingland owing to a perverse feeling of their I own superior worth. They like gird- - ing at their country because it is their (country; they like to.be in a minority because it shows how remarkable they are; they like to support the enemies of England because thereby they think they are stabbing England in the hack. I don’t deny, says the critic, that many fanatics and iconoclasts are perfectly sincere, hut I do deny their title to be I better or wiser than other people. Their criticisms may sometimes he right, hut their general attitude to their country is atvavs wrong. They invariably believe flint everybody who differs from them is a fool or a knave, and they usually distrust the actions of singleminded patriots. They lament the fact that they are English and yet they accept all the benefits that follow on that fact. I sometimes wo'ruler why people who always criticise in disagreeable terms whatever their country does do not take the chance of emigrating to more favoured lands. For I doubt very much whether such extremists really want their, country to “reform.” If that were to happen they could no longer feel superior and they could no longer have the pleasure of criticising and complaining. In short, in accomplishing the object of their life they would have taken all the zest out of their life. I can understand the internationalist who simply denounces all the patriotism as a bourgeois illusion, but I cannot understand the “patriot” who is always upholding the patriotism of other countries and denouncing the patriotism of his own. Ireland, India, Egypt—these are. always countries full of downtrodden patriots who deserve their independence; but Eng-

land possesses no patriots, only swashbucklers, profiteers and Jingoes. It is a simple, but inaccurate way of regarding the universe. The man who does not feel patriotism for his own country, does not know what patriotism is. He has no right to talk,about it. He may understand and sympathise with the spirit of rebellion, but how can he understand patriotism, if he feels no love for his own country ? The comment has a very general application and applies here as elsewhere. It puts the matter so admirably that the reproduction of the remarks will, we hope, have a desirable effect on this side of the wprld.

Tire Midland Railway Line, as was expected, is having some adverse effect on Greyniouth. It is reasonable to believe that this will be temporary, pending a natural readjustment. As regards shipping for instance, Lyttelton is feeling also the effect of the railway competition, so that as far as the ports are corncerned there will be a stringency in trade, and there must be a readjustment whereby those affected must find other avenues for trade or employment. Apart from the shipping, the town of Greyniouth is likely to be affected also by the proposals in the report of the railway commission which suggests the centralisation of the railway workshops in the South Island, and a move leading up to the closing clown of the railway workshops at Greymout' This is resented by our neighbors, who are asking outside support to the suggestion that the report ho not given effect to. The press complained for a long time about the railway administration, and having got n report, it would not be logical to rail against that report because it did not suit certain localities. The report is supposed ns a whole "to effect reforms in railway management which will he for the public betterment. But if recommendations here and there are whittled away, what will remain, and who will be to blame if tbe results then do not equal necessities? The same line of thought suggests itself in regard to the coal issue, but in this matter the Government proposes to further fortify itself with an additional report by a fresh set of experts. If that course is to be pursued in regard to every detail of the recommendations, not only will reforms be postponed indefinitely but very heavy costs will be added to the administration. It appears to us that having the recommendations before him, the Minister, on consulting with the heads of his Department, is the best judge as to what might he done. The heads of Departments should be able to submit working costs of a

scheme such as is involved in the centralisation of the railway workshops, and the net result- should suggest the obvious course for tbe Minister to act upon, That appears to he the proper course to follow, and on those lines the country would accept the decision as final, even though for the time being at least, some hardship were done to one or more localities affected by the transfers involved.

In the report of the doings of the Boy Scouts during what was evidently a very pleasant and successful camp at Upper Koiterangi, a reference was made to the visit to Hokitika Gorge. This was done by way of the Doughboy track, which is described as a very beautiful route. The suggestion has been put- forward in times past that the route should lie opened for vehicles. A road has been partially made for some distance, hut there remains a fair gap to fill, and ultimately a bridge to ho erected over the head waters of Murray Creek. The road, however, besides opening up a very pleasant hush route, will give a round motor drive which would afford visitors a new and more impressive idea still of the settlement lands about Koiterangi. The connecting road round the rear of Doughboy hill would connect up what is known as Municipal road and Wliitconine road leading to the Hokitika Gorge. Visitors to the last mentioned holiday resort timid travel Icy lane route and return by tbe other, tints covering several miles of fre.sli country, and passing though a more diversified settlement area. The road would lie both a tourist and a settlement road, for it would alford vehicle arc ess to the- back sections at Doughboy, a:M

open up a fair range' of country, including some gone! bush land. It is a road near town, or rat her brought near by motor traffic, that in the public interests should be opened up, and by a cu-circlinatiim of effort on tbe part of the settlers, the Progress League, and the local body, the necessary work should be accomplished. A round tour such as is possible would eclipse any oibei after c'li ice in this i n mile and add greatly to the public kticncledge of the extent of Koiterangi and its possibilities as a flourishing settlement capable of greater development.